![Pakistan Test Cricket team [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1778132885218_PakistanTestCricketteam.jpg?type=hq)
Pakistan Test Cricket team [Source: AFP]
After the conclusion of the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Bangladesh, the two teams will meet each other once again for a two-match Test series starting from May 8.
The hosts, Bengal Tigers, are ready to lock horns against Pakistan for the first Test. The clash is set to take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, with the match set to go live from 9:30 AM IST.
After the ODI series defeat, the Pakistan team is pumped up to start their two-match Test series on a strong note.
The Pakistan Test squad, led by Shan Masood, will see names like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Hasan Ali by its side, ready to tackle the hosts at their home.
Pakistan have largely dominated Bangladesh in terms of head-to-head stats in Test cricket, winning 12 matches out of the 15 they have played. However, after the ODI series loss, confidence might have taken a dent.
Hence, with renewed confidence and energy, the team will look to challenge the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led camp, filled with mostly young talents, along with experienced veterans too.
As both teams gear up for the first Test, Pakistan will need to field their most balanced XI to counter Bangladesh’s challenge. Here’s a look at the best Pakistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh for the 1st Test.
Pakistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh, 1st Test 2026
Top Order: Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan
Pakistan skipper Shan Masood will be taking charge of the opening duties alongside Pakistan veteran Imam-ul-Haq. Masood has opened for Pakistan in nearly 54 Test innings, scoring five centuries in them while also getting seven ducks.
However, his average of 29.19 underwhelms his stature as an opening batter. Seeing the current team composition, Masood will likely be favoured at the top alongside the 30-year-old Imam, who last played a Test match for Pakistan in October 2025.
This will be Imam's first stint in Bangladesh, while he has done impressively well in Asian countries with an average of 43.50 from the 32 innings he has played.
He has three centuries in Asia, while in away Test matches, he boasts four half-centuries to his name. Nevertheless, Imam and Masood's duo should be a good challenge for Bangladeshi bowlers, since Babar Azam will be coming in at No. 3 to further test the skills of the Bengal Tigers.
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Babar Azam has usually been a solid Test player in the upper to middle order. However, his number three stats also speak of inconsistency. He has a poor average of 26.48, but with Rizwan lined up for the No. 4 spot, Babar's early arrival will be most suitable to anchor any accidental scares early in the game.
Mohammad Rizwan, meanwhile, will be excited to bat at 4 or lower in the Pakistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh, although he hasn't been very tactical at number four earlier and is more used to batting lower down the order.
With all-rounders lined up next, his experience to step up in crunch situations will be enough to back him for a middle-order anchor role in the Pakistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh.
Middle Order and All Rounders: Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Sajid Khan
The middle order will be addressed by Saud Shakeel at number five. The 30-year-old left-handed batter had a decent campaign in PSL 2026 for the Quetta Gladiators and will be looking forward to featuring in the Test series against Bangladesh.
In Asia, Saud Shakeel has a massive average of 57.77 from his 30 Test innings, while also having four centuries and nine half-centuries to his name, further underlining why he will be a crucial middle-order batter for Pakistan.
Salman Agha will follow Shakeel in the Pakistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh as he is also a crafty all-rounder for the team. Salman Agha's presence will be a crucial one since he averages 43.44 in Asian countries from his 34 Test innings.
His three centuries and eight half-centuries will be crucial, with the all-rounder also handy with his right-arm off-break bowling.
He will be followed by Sajid Khan, a 32-year-old veteran for Pakistan who is mainly nifty with his spin bowling action. He has taken 16 wickets in Bangladesh from four innings, while also having the best bowling figures of 8/42, averaging 15.00 at a strike rate of 33.0.
His inclusion in the Pakistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh will be very crucial on a turning Mirpur pitch, with the bowling department ready to handle the rest of the situation.
Bowlers: Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Khurram Shahzad
Pakistan's bowling department looks extremely strong for the Mirpur Test, especially considering the nature of the pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
The inclusion of Sajid Khan alongside veteran left-arm spinner Noman Ali gives Pakistan a dangerous spin combination capable of troubling Bangladesh’s batting lineup on a turning surface. Noman Ali’s accuracy and ability to extract turn consistently could further create pressure during the middle overs.
The pace attack also adds significant depth to Pakistan’s bowling unit. Shaheen Afridi’s ability to generate swing with the new ball can be crucial during the early stages of the innings, while Hasan Ali’s aggressive seam bowling and reverse swing will make him effective on subcontinent pitches.
Khurram Shahzad’s disciplined line and length provide additional control, giving Pakistan a balanced bowling attack with both pace and spin options.
With multiple wicket-taking bowlers capable of operating in different phases of the game in the Pakistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh, the bowling unit appears well-equipped to dominate Bangladesh in Mirpur conditions.
Pakistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh- Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Khurram Shahzad
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